Effect of citronellol on NF-kB inflammatory signaling molecules in chemical carcinogen-induced mammary cancer in the rat model.

Inflammation plays a vital role in the process of carcinogenesis and anti-inflammatory properties of phytochemicals are gaining more attention in the chemoprevention of cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of citronellol (CT) on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats. The inflammation-associated gene and protein markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot techniques. Markers such as nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase are upregulated in DMBA-alone-treated mammary tumor tissues. The oral administration of CT (50 mg/kg BW) to DMBA-treated rats significantly downregulated the expression NF-kB and other inflammatory markers, and also increased the level of IL-10 in mammary tissues. The results suggested that the anti-inflammatory potential of CT prevented the incidence of chemical carcinogen-induced mammary cancer in rats.